all in one Remote control

Lvbrs

Hi.
Do these things actually work? I bought a Universal 10 in 1 remote the other day. It will not pick up any of my HE equipment. It will switch off the tv but thats it!!! Waste of money. I've been trying to get the UPC remote to at least control the DVD player and the TV to no avail.

Jev/N

I'd be of the opinion that with any tech product, in general terms at least, you get what you pay for.

These things do work but as above, depends how much you spend on them for the functionality

Lvbrs

Bought it in a Hardware shop locally for 15 euro. Gonna bring it back. totally useless. Tried to get the UPC remote to operate TV as well but that don't work neither. Ah,well,there is more to life than TV I gues.

Thanks,

T:)

Alun

Spend a bit more and get one of the Logitech Harmony series of universal remotes. Don't have one myself, but others on the Home Entertainment forums swear by (rather than at!) them.

paulm17781

Alun wrote: »

Spend a bit more and get one of the Logitech Harmony series of universal remotes. Don't have one myself, but others on the Home Entertainment forums swear by (rather than at!) them.

I have one of the top of the line Harmony's. They work but even they aren't great. The software is awfu and they're quite inflexible. If you want a universal remote they are the way to go but they are by no means perfect.

belmulletman

paulm17781 wrote: »

I have one of the top of the line Harmony's. They work but even they aren't great. The software is awfu and they're quite inflexible. If you want a universal remote they are the way to go but they are by no means perfect.

I have to disagree... The harmony's are amazing. I have mine about 3 years now. Granted the software is a bit of a pain in the butt, but if you stick with it, and tweak it to be just right, then you'll never need any other remote!
I only use the harmony to control all my AV equipment. The only thing it won't work with is the PS3 and that's cause it's Bluetooth, BUT, Logitech just released an adapter to allow you to used the PS3 with Infrared Harmony Remote!

dam099

belmulletman wrote: »

I have to disagree... The harmony's are amazing. I have mine about 3 years now. Granted the software is a bit of a pain in the butt, but if you stick with it, and tweak it to be just right, then you'll never need any other remote!
I only use the harmony to control all my AV equipment. The only thing it won't work with is the PS3 and that's cause it's Bluetooth, BUT, Logitech just released an adapter to allow you to used the PS3 with Infrared Harmony Remote!

I agree the Harmony is pretty good but the UPC DVR is the most problematic of my devices on it, I constantly get the channel up or down going mad and it just keeps going (happens occasionaly with the UPC remote too but not as often).

paulm17781

belmulletman wrote: »

I have to disagree... The harmony's are amazing. I have mine about 3 years now. Granted the software is a bit of a pain in the butt, but if you stick with it, and tweak it to be just right, then you'll never need any other remote!
I only use the harmony to control all my AV equipment. The only thing it won't work with is the PS3 and that's cause it's Bluetooth, BUT, Logitech just released an adapter to allow you to used the PS3 with Infrared Harmony Remote!

That's true, I probably could spend more time on it. I just wish the software wasn't so inflexible.

belmulletman

paulm17781 wrote: »

That's true, I probably could spend more time on it. I just wish the software wasn't so inflexible.

When's the last time you used the software? there have been updates to it.
You'll need to delve a bit deeper in to the system, but i've changed everything from the delay between commands to the amount of retries the remote will make to change a channel. It's made a massive difference in the reliability of the remote with I use it with my Media Center (Plex).

paulm17781

belmulletman wrote: »

When's the last time you used the software? there have been updates to it.
You'll need to delve a bit deeper in to the system, but i've changed everything from the delay between commands to the amount of retries the remote will make to change a channel. It's made a massive difference in the reliability of the remote with I use it with my Media Center (Plex).

A month or two ago. I don't like the way some of it works, for example having to choose the volume on my amp or TV. I use either depending on what I'm watching. I have one device that won't work with it at all, everything else does work

belmulletman

paulm17781 wrote: »

A month or two ago. I don't like the way some of it works, for example having to choose the volume on my amp or TV. I use either depending on what I'm watching. I have one device that won't work with it at all, everything else does work

Ah... I see...
So, what do you mean by "depending on what you're watching". If it's a DVD for example, should that not be a separate activity?
I use my Amp for all my audio requirement, but I do have it flick the inputs depending on my activity (watch DVD, Xbox360, TV, etc...)

paulm17781

belmulletman wrote: »

Ah... I see...
So, what do you mean by "depending on what you're watching". If it's a DVD for example, should that not be a separate activity?
I use my Amp for all my audio requirement, but I do have it flick the inputs depending on my activity (watch DVD, Xbox360, TV, etc...)

Yeah but if I'm only watching a DVD of a TV series, I'm never bothered with the surround sound but it sets to use the amp (my choice). I just think the interface could be nicer rather than having "activities". I know not everyone would agree but personally, I think they could be better.

lensman

picked up one of these awhile back, it's a learning remote & in a nutshell what you do is point it at the remote you want to copy & it reads the IR pulse from each button the you assign these keys on the learning remote, you can copy 6 devices in this way & consign the orignials to the drawer.

bk

paulm17781 wrote: »

Yeah but if I'm only watching a DVD of a TV series, I'm never bothered with the surround sound but it sets to use the amp (my choice). I just think the interface could be nicer rather than having "activities". I know not everyone would agree but personally, I think they could be better.

That is easy to fix, simply set up two different activities:

- Watch Movie - Which switches on your DVD and amp (for audio)
- Watch DVD - Which switched on your DVD and tv (for audio)

I think the Activities setup is easiest for most people, while more unusual set-ups like yours can still be done with just a little extra effort.

Harmony is far simpler to set up then other cheap all in one remotes which you have to program with codes or learn for other remotes.

lensman wrote: »

picked up one of these awhile back, it's a learning remote & in a nutshell what you do is point it at the remote you want to copy & it reads the IR pulse from each button the you assign these keys on the learning remote, you can copy 6 devices in this way & consign the orignials to the drawer.

To be honest, IMO these type of remotes are rubbish and aren't worth the effort. Harmony remotes are more expensive, but completely worth it.

I've had two harmony remotes and I'm just waiting for a variant of the Harmony One with RF and Bluetooth and I'm there.

paulm17781

bk wrote: »

That is easy to fix, simply set up two different activities:

I dislike clutter, I have 5 activities already.

bk

paulm17781 wrote: »

I dislike clutter, I have 5 activities already.

Well IMO 6 activities is much better then 6 remotes, that is far more clutter.

Honestly I can't see any other way they could easily implement what you are looking for, other then perhaps telepathy :cool:

paulm17781

bk wrote: »

Well IMO 6 activities is much better then 6 remotes, that is far more clutter.

Honestly I can't see any other way they could easily implement what you are looking for, other then perhaps telepathy :cool:

I think you're right.

I just think the it would be nice if you could customise the interface more etc. As all in one remotes go, they are no doubt the best, I just wish it was more flexible.

bk

paulm17781 wrote: »

I just think the it would be nice if you could customise the interface more etc. As all in one remotes go, they are no doubt the best, I just wish it was more flexible.

Well if you dig deep you can make any button do almost anything, but it wouldn't really make sense.

There is the Harmony 1100:
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/remotes/universal_remotes/devices/4708&cl=us,en

which is a big touch screen and the button layout is fully programmable. However it is very expensive and IMO not very good, physical buttons are easier to use as you don't want to fumble around in the dark

I think the Harmony One is the best balance:
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/remotes/universal_remotes/devices/3898&cl=us,en

Just thinking, it would be cool if you could get a Bluetooth to IR adaptor for the iPhone/iPod touch.

paulm17781

bk wrote: »

Well if you dig deep you can make any button do almost anything, but it wouldn't really make sense.

There is the Harmony 1100:
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/remotes/universal_remotes/devices/4708&cl=us,en

That's what I have.

I thought of a real example. If I'm watching TV, I use the TV speakers. If I switch to DVD, it will use TV and amp for sound. I'm yet to get it to turn down the TV sound when I switch.

EDIT: Right so, because of this thread, I decided to give it another look. I noticed on my DVD activity, the channel buttons were doing nothing. I set them to control the TV volume. Case closed. Thanks to BK and Bellmulletman for arguing enough persuade me.

Lvbrs

Well,I returned the Universal remote and the shop replaced it with another (Kingavon) I'm sure it must be the same company as the instructions are almost identical. I still cannot pick up anything, no matter how I search etc.

I checked out another thread and can now control my TV, Digibox and DVD player all from the UPC remote!!! The only thing is it won't allow me to control the volume when the DVD player is running, so I have to use the TV remote control for that. I'll try and figure it out. I can use the UPC remote to control volume while watching TV.

For some reason the TV does not automatically switch to HDMI or SCART when i switch them on....mmmmm....must be a setting or a non feature in the telly.

Anyway, my Home entertainment needs are being met bit by bit, and it is a learning experience. TV looks pretty good now and DVD's look great.

Lvbrs

lensman wrote: »

picked up one of these awhile back, it's a learning remote & in a nutshell what you do is point it at the remote you want to copy & it reads the IR pulse from each button the you assign these keys on the learning remote, you can copy 6 devices in this way & consign the orignials to the drawer.

Hi Lensman. Does it work?

byte

belmulletman wrote: »

I only use the harmony to control all my AV equipment. The only thing it won't work with is the PS3 and that's cause it's Bluetooth, BUT, Logitech just released an adapter to allow you to used the PS3 with Infrared Harmony Remote!

You can buy cheapo remotes for PS3 too, that use a USB Infrared dongle. Then just program the cheapo remote into your Harmony, job done. Worked for me anyway.

bk

byte wrote: »

You can buy cheapo remotes for PS3 too, that use a USB Infrared dongle. Then just program the cheapo remote into your Harmony, job done. Worked for me anyway.

The problem with these is that you can't turn on the PS3 with the remote, you have to use an official PS3 remote or controller to do that.

A friend of mine is sending over the new logitech adapter for the PS3, should have it in about 2 weeks time, I'll report then on how it goes.

byte

bk wrote: »

The problem with these is that you can't turn on the PS3 with the remote, you have to use an official PS3 remote or controller to do that.

A friend of mine is sending over the new logitech adapter for the PS3, should have it in about 2 weeks time, I'll report then on how it goes.

I'd doubt the new adaptor will turn it on and off? If it does, it'll surely be better than a cheapo USB one.

Be interested in how it goes for you.

bk

byte wrote: »

I'd doubt the new adaptor will turn it on and off? If it does, it'll surely be better than a cheapo USB one.

It does, basically it is a bluetooth device and works just like the PS3 bluetooth remote. Pricey at $60 but worth it, review here:

http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/19/logitechs-harmony-adapter-for-ps3-reviewed/

byte wrote: »

Be interested in how it goes for you.

Will do.